Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“He was wounded, but no, he didn’t die. He held on for me, but his wound got infected and although he tried to be strong, the beatings took their toll. I tried to take them whenever I could. Eyeball allowed it because it made Bear suffer to see me take the beatings for him. In the end, Bear lost touch with what was really going on. The infection raged in his body. Douglas only left Bear alive to suffer. When Bear couldn’t stay awake and lucid any longer, Douglas killed him. He took him from me completely and lived off my pain for over a year. I can’t really remember how long. It all blended together, to be honest.”
“He loved you.”
“He did. I need you to know that if I’d known Bear and you were brothers, or if you had even been a member of the club, things would have been different. I wouldn’t have tried for a relationship with you. I would have told you about Douglas. God, there’s so much I should have done differently.”
“Bear didn’t tell me about the two of you either. If he had, I want you to know I would have told him to man up and fight for you.”
“I know you probably hate me, Blade. You have every right. I want you to know that I really hope you find the happiness you deserve. I hope it’s with Winnie. She’s a beautiful soul. She’ll be good for you if you let her,” Olivia says.
“It’s weird, isn’t it? I told Arwen that we were the past and there was nothing there anymore. I explained that we were different people. I don’t think I realized how true that was, though. At least, I didn’t until right this minute.”
“Nothing could survive what we’ve been through if it was built on lies, and like it or not, we were.”
“Yeah. I should have been honest with you, too,” I admit.
“We both made mistakes. My worst one was not admitting that I have always loved Bear and could never completely give myself to anyone else.”
“Olivia, I need you to know that I truly do care for Arwen. I want to build a future with her. That’s something I didn’t think I would get when I was in prison. Now that I have the chance, I don’t want to lose it.”
“Good. I want you both to be happy.”
“Blade, I got to spend Bear’s last minutes with him. We got to talk and clear the air between us. That’s more than I could’ve dreamed of having. Now, I just want to live quiet. I hope one day, in whatever comes next, I will be able to find Bear and we can be together then.”
“I hope that, too, Olivia.”
“I tried, you know?”
“To build a life with me? Yeah, I know. If Eyeball wasn’t in the picture, maybe it would have worked.”
“Well, yeah. That, too, but I meant I tried to get you out of jail. The moment I got free, I went to Detective Sutton. He took me to the prosecuting attorney and the judge. In the end, it wasn’t enough to help. I had no proof and, worst of all, there was no body. I never knew what Douglas did with Bear. He just came back bragging that he was gone. The judge refused to reopen the case. So did the prosecutors. The club’s lawyer didn’t think it would help either—that’s what Sasa and Cross told me. By then you were close to getting out anyway, but I want you to know that I tried to get you out—everyone did.”
“Thanks Olivia. I appreciate that. It’s over. We can’t get those years back,” I respond.
“I know,” she agrees.
I stand up and go to kneel in front of her. I brace myself on either side of her chair. She looks at me, and even I have to admit that it feels good not to see fear on her face. “In my heart now, you’re my sister. Bear asked me to take care of you. He mentioned he left you money and I assume Cross dealt with that, but I want to stand by you and take care of you like he asked.”
She shakes her head no, tears shining in her eyes. “I never wanted Bear’s money. I never touched it. It’s still in the bank. You’re welcome to have it back. I’ve tried to give it to Cross, but he ignores me. Bear gave me the best gift a man could give a woman, and that’s his heart. I don’t want his money.”
I lean in and kiss her forehead. “You keep the money. It’s what Bear wanted. Spend it. He’d be pissed if you didn’t.” When I pull back, her lips are trembling, and she’s got tears sliding down her cheeks. “My brother would want you to live, Olivia. He’d want you to have the life that he wanted to give you and couldn’t.”